Flush type fire hydrant and highway construction therefor



0. 1-1. sco'n' ETAL 2,351,640

FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR June 20,

Filed March 11. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 TTOAA/EY June 20, 1944. c SCOTT ETAL 2,351,640

FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR Filed March 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f\ I INVENTORS 0/4/91. 15 6 80077 1/ P404 SCOTT v June 20, 1944. Q SCOTT ETAL 2,351,640

FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR Filed Ma rch 11, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E c421 VAL-M, C077 P/IUL H. 6

MW A TTORNEY Patented June 20, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR Application March 11, 1941, Serial No. 382,682

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to fire hydrants, and more particularly to highway constructions therefor, and coordinately combines the features of providing hydrants which do not extend above the level of the sidewalk or highway and constructional features which make flush type hydrants available at such street or sidewalk levels.

Our invention is a continuation-in-part of our application Serial No. 288,924, filed August 8, 1939, now Patent 2,234,635, granted March 11, 1941, for Flush type fire hydrant.

Our invention, as in our prior application above identified, has for its aim to overcome the many disadvantages of the old style fire hydrant which projects above the sidewalk and thereby constitutes an obstruction which is a menace to pedestrians and which is liable to be damaged by automobiles and is, by reason thereof, frequently 'so damaged.

As set forth in our prior application, these old type fire hydrants, due to their obstructive nature, are located away from street corners and thereby in such location's valuable space islost as safety measures initiated by Fire Department regulations prohibit obstructing space near a fire hydrant. Again, since snow is frequently allowed to accumulate at points between intersections where it has been found convenient to locate hydrants extending above the sidewalk level, these hydrants are thereby obscured and rendered inaccessible when urgently needed or, if passage thereto is provided, these locations limit the line and direction through which the hose may be extended. Furthermore, these old type hydrants which project above the sidewalk or highway level are difiicult to service. Since they extend below street level, excavation is necessary to reach movable valve parts as these sections may require replacement occasioned by frost or wearing out of valve surfaces.

While it is known to us to provide hydrantsor stand pipes below the street level, employing water controlvalves customarily used in hydrants located above the street level, these constructions have not solved the problems for making flush type fire hydrants available in view'o-f the excessive space which such mechanism requires.

, Accordingly, 'it is an object of ourinvention to provide, in a fire hydrant, a construction whereby it may have its operating control valves flush with the street sidewalk or highway level wherein. it may be located at street intersections to render this mechanism readily accessible, free from obstruction during all seasons of the year, and provide the maximum space surrounding this mechanism for the feed of fire hose, working space in relation thereto and working space in relation to servicing and maintenance of this mechanism economically and coordinately in a highway construction which will make possible the achievement of these objectives.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a highway construction wherein the location of flush type hydrants is made feasible so that obstruction is minimized, accessibility is facilitated, maximum space is provided for operation and for servicing, without loss or unusual alteration of existing highway constructions.

Further objects of our invention reside in providing a flush type hydrant construction which makes possible, mechanically as well as economically, the employment of these constructions at street intersections, independent of weather conditions and free from spacial disadvantages.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, we make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a fragment of a street highway, showing the lo'cation of our invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary magnified sectional view of the main control valve;

Figure 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of our invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a still further embodiment of our invention.

Making reference to the drawings, we have shown a portion of the highway l0 adjacent a corner intersection or street corner H, and at which point the curb line l2 follows the contour of the street intersections, thereby defining the sidewalk 13. This space, to each face of the building line, provides the maximum accessible space, in connection with which our invention is utilized in the preferred embodiment thereof, utilizing part of the invention divided from our prior aforementioned application.

At this intersectional point of the street, it has been found most convenient to locate the catch basin or cess pool M, as it is the low point for surface drainage for large areas, of highway.

So much of the features of our prior applicaticn as involve the combination of a sidewalk portion adjacent the intersection of two streets, together with a flush type hydrant, is therefore divided from our prior application aforementioned, for reasons amplified in our prior filed application and which will become apparent as this description proceeds.

More specifically, in relation to the highway construction exemplified in Figure 1, which is the preferred embodiment of our present invention, adjacent the cess pool or catch basin !4, defined by the masonry walls I 5 and I6 and which is provided with the opening I! and a manhole cover l8, we provide a sump IS, the floor as of which extends over the wall i5 and terminates into a drainage orifice 2! formed in the wall l5. The sump H! has its opening 22 provided with a cover flange 23 and a cover 24, serving as. a closure for the sump l9.

Through the bottom wall 29 there is extended a barrel 25, the lower end of which, 25, is connected'to a T Zl, which by the bell or flange 28 is in turn connected to the water main 29. The connection with the end of the barrel may be effected by screw threading or a weld joint 30.

The upper end of the barrel is provided with a bonnet 3| which, in turn, carries a plurality of outlet sections 32, provided with control valves 33. I-Iose connectors 34 are provided at the terminals of the sections 32 controlled by the control'valves 33, as described.

While the bonnet 3| may be welded to the barrel 25 along the weld line 35, in the embodiment illustrated, using the valves from the main, which will hereinafter be described, this bonnet may be attached to the barrel 25 by bolt connected flanges 35a, more particularly exemplified in Figure 5 and in our prior application above mentioned. A bonnet connected to the barrel by bolt connection is particularly adapted for valve servicing of the construction shown in Figure 5 and in our prior filed application.

Referring again to Figures 1, 2 and 3, we pro.- vide the T 27 with an enlarged flange 35, anchored in the wall l5 of the catch basin. The T 21 has a neck 31 adjacent the flange 2%. Into this neck is threaded a spider 38 formed with a valve seat 39 and a guideorbearing axially located by the fins 4|, defining a passage. 42. A stem or rod 43 extends through. the guide or bearing 45! and has its end 44 provided with a valve head 45, adapted to seat upon the valve seat 59 previously described. The T 2?, adjacent the right hand side when viewing Figure 3, is formed with a screw threaded neck 46, intowhich is screw threaded the cap 41, which has on its inner face 48 a bearing 49, through which the stem 43 passes. The bearing 49 is axially suspended by the fins 59, providing a passage about the fins and which passage terminates in the orifice 5| formed in the cap 41.

The enlarged flange 35 has an offset 52 adjacent one side thereof, in which offset thereis positioned an arm 53 provided with bearings 54 for a rock shaft 55. On this rock shaft there is mounted a bell crank lever 56. The upper arm 57 of the bell crank lever is. provided with a slotted bearing 58 and is positioned between the fingers 59 of. the knuckle joint fill. A pin 5| connects the knuckle joint and arm. 51 of the bell crank lever 56. The knuckle joint 59 is screw threaded to the end 62 of the shaft 43 Referring again to the bell. crank lever 56, it has its second branch "63 provided with. connector bearing 64, which is common to.it and .be imparted to the rod 65 by connecting the same adjacent its end 65 to a link 81. This link, in turn, is pivotally connected to the elbow 68, formed on the cover 24. The cover is pivotally mounted on the pivot center 69.

With the construction as described, it will be observed that upon pivotal movement of the cover plate 24, to open the same, an upward pull will be imparted to the rod 55, thereby actuating the bell crank lever 56 and, in turn, projecting the stem or rod 43 and unseating the valve head 45. As the movement of the rod 43 progresses, the end 62 thereof is moved in the direction of the cap 4'!. The cap 41, at its orific 5!, is provided with a seat ill. On the stem 43 there is provided a valve head I! adapted to seat upon the valve seat 70. Upon movement of the rod 65 by the cover 24 or other operating mechanism substantially completely to unseat the valve head 45 from its valve seat 39., the valve head II will be seated upon the valve seat 10 and thereby close the orifice 5|.

At this point it will be observed that. the T being connected to the water main 29, the water supply will be furnished to the barrel- 25, and during the interval of time for. completely opening the passage 42 by unseating the valve head 45, the orifice 5! will, likewise, be open, permitting a discharge of water through the orifice 5!, through the flange 55, into the catch, basin or cess pool Hi. This preliminary discharge will serve to scavenge rust or detritus from the barrel 25 and which may have accumulated within the T 27, into the catch basin l4.

It will be observed that the drain orifice 5| is small compared with the orifice 42, thereby minimizing the amount of pressure necessary to retain the valve head I l upon the seat In.

For convenience, the valve head 45 and, its assembly will be referred to as the barrel valve. and the valve head H and its assembly will be referred to as by-passvalve.

It will be readily understood. that. upon. re.- yerse operation, therod 65. will be moved downwardly by its operatorin the exemplified form, the cover- 2.4 -seating the barrel valve to its. closed position and unseating the by-pass valve, This operation will serve to open the by-pass. valve and drain the barrel 25 of any accumulated water through the flange into the catch basin M, to the bottom thereof (not, shown). It will be observed that the T 21" is disposed to be extended well below the frost line. but above the ,catch basin orifice l2, which is connected to the sewage line i3.

Referring now to the control valves housed Within the sump I9, it will be observed that when the cover 24 is open, hose. lines may be extended along each direction of the intersectional streets-and will afi ord. space atthe' intersection of maximum degree for the: operators. Where located at an intersection, most usually kept clear during snow or sleet, maximum accessibility will be afforded. Close proximity of location of fire equipment isal'so thereby facilitated, minimizing the obstruction of the high' way. in eitherdirection.

Where the hydrant. is. located, as shown, with basin l4, servicing of this mechanism isfacilitated through the opening I! of the catch basin merely by removal of the manhole cover" I8.

Thus, merely by cutting off the valve contr ol ling the water main, a workman may reach the opening 36 throughthe catch basin and upon disconnecting the rod 65, may fully service the .main valve or by-pass valve, replacing these parts as conditions may require. Excavation to reach the movable parts is thereby avoided.

It will also be observe that by directing the bottom 20 of the sump l9 to terminate adjacent the drain 2| leading to the catch basin I4, the sump is kept clear of water, overflowing during the use of the hydrant.

Furthermore, it will be observed that since the control mechanism for the main valve and by-pass valve is entirely below the level of the street and is accessible from the catch basin, replacement of the control valves 33 and servicing of these parts may be done independent of the opening of the main valve.

It will also be observed that since the cess pool or catch basin is primarily an existent construction, installation of our contrivance may be accomplished with the minimum amount of excavation, requiring merely entrance through the wall I for installation of the device.

While we have referred to an intersectional installation wherein the catch basin or cess pool is in contiguous position with the manhole positioned within the curb line I2 for access to the by-pass valve, it will be understood that where the cess pool or catch basin is made accessible through a street manhole, we contemplate positioning our flush type hydrant in close relationship to the street manhole cover. Such construction is generally illustrated in Figure 4 wherein the flush hydrant sump I9a is shown adjacent to the street overflow drain a. This, in turn is covered by a street manhole cover 2Ia in the same general relationship as that contemplated in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the axial line of the barrel and cess pool or catch basin drain being at right angles to the curb I2a. In all other respects, the assembly may be in the form illustrated and described in connection with the embodiments of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In Figure 5 we have shown an embodiment closely related to our prior application aforementioned, which will issue as Patent No. 2,234,635, wherein provision is made for servicing the flush hydrant main valve and the by-pass valve mechanism by reason of the novel assembly of the flush hydrant and catch basin or cess pool contiguously.

In this embodiment, a sump I4 is defined by the box 15, made of masonry, concrete or sheet metal. Through the bottom 18 there is extended the barrel 11. The lower end of the barrel I1 is connected by the flange 18 to the water main 19. The upper end is provided with a bonnet 80, carrying the control valves 8| and connected to the barrel 11 by the bolt fastened flange 35, previously mentioned.

Adjacent the upper end of the barrel, we provide a rock shaft 82 for pivotal mounting. ThlS mounting is water tight and has an arm 83, fixedly mounted on said rock shaft. On this rock shaft is provided a second arm 84, to which is extended a. link 85, a coupler 86, terminating in the knuckle 81, connecte with the bracket 88, rigidly mounted upon the cover "89, pivoted on the pin 90, having a, bearing in the frame 82'.

The free end 85 of the arm 84 extends through a drain orifice-86 leading to the cess pool or catch basin I4. The free end 85 has a'lost motion coupling to the rod 9I, thereby securing limited slidable movement between the stop {-92, when pulling action is desired upon the rod 9|, or the stop 93 when pushing action is desired against the rod 9|.

The lower end of the ro 'is connected to, the

branch 94 of the bell crank lever 95, pivoted on the bearing 96 mounted upon the by-pass sleeve 91. The second branch 98 of the bell crank lever is connected to the rod 99, passing through the bearing I00 formed in the spider IOI. The spider is screw threaded in the neck I02, which terminates into the barrel TI. The spider IOI provides a by-pass orifice I03, and a valve seat I04, which seat is closed by the valve head I05, mounted upon the rod 99.

Connected with the arm 03 is a connecting rod I95, passing through the barrel I1 and connected by the knuckle joint I9"! to the stem I08. The stem I08, through the bearing of a spider I09, is provided with a valve seat I I0 adapted to be closed by the main valve head III. It will be observed that the spider I09, with its valve seat and valve head assembly, may be screw threaded into the neck i2 adjacent the lower end of the barrel 11, immediately below the opening of the by-pass sleeve ill.

The actuation of the device just described will be readily understood to follow, in certain aspects, the details of our prior filed application in that opening the cover 89 will serve to open the main valve I l I through the intermediate linkage provided by the rock shaft 82, the arm. 83 and the connecting rod I06, as the arm 84 is upwardly lift-ed by the connection made between the arm 54 and the bracket 88 through the medium of the link 85.

After the main valve begins to open, the end 85 engages the stop 92, thereby to draw upwardly the rod SI, which through the medium of the bell crank lever 95, pulls the by-pass valv I05 to its closed position. Conversely, upon closure of the cover 85 to close the main valve, the bypass valve will first open, and a predetermined time thereafter, the barrel valve will close. This operation, with the mechanism as shown in Figure 5, and the opening of the cover, Will first permit water to reach the barrel TI and with the control valves 8| in the closed position, it will serve to scavenge any detritus, such as rust, in the barrel, discharging it through the by-pass valve until the by-pass valve is completely closed.

In the reverse operation, the main valve III will first close, and the by-pass valve I05 will then open, permitting any accumulated water in the barrel TI to drain through the by-pass valve into the cess pool I4.

As in the prior embodiment, ready access to the valve mechanism is obtainable through the cess pool It. The contiguous arrangement of the cess pool I l and the flush type hydrant not only provides for ready drainage of the barrel TI but also of the sump "I4, in addition to other features heretofore stressed in connection with the prior embodiment.

It will thus be observed that we have provided a novel combination of flush hydrant and highway construction, having the features of accessibility, serviceability, facility of replacement and economy of construction.

7 It will be undei stood that while our invention,

.in its preferred fol'im; may utilize all of the eoorwith the controls thereof within the sugnp angi enclosed by a cover flush with the sidewalk level, the combination with 'the barrel of said hyiraht of a coupling, one end whereof inteffitewith the bai rel, a. passage for oniiec'tioii with the water main and a assage serving as a by-pass arranged to discharge 'w'a'igei" fi 'oin said bafrel to a catch basin, said oiiplihg including a, barrel valve assembliianii a by 'p'as'S Valve assembly aa- 10 ce's'ible through the ra -pass.

' SC PAUL H. SCOTT. 

